Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) - Cassandra Clare Page 0,159

demon all by yourselves?”

Lucie’s eyes fluttered open. For a moment she thought her father was talking to her, and considered flight. She discarded the idea immediately—her body was pinned down by heavy sheets and blankets. She blinked at her familiar surroundings; somehow she had been tucked into her own bed at home. The room smelled comfortingly of tea and of her father’s cologne. Not surprisingly, as he was seated in a chair next to the bed. Her mother had her hand on Will’s shoulder, and James leaned against a wall nearby. He clearly hadn’t changed clothes since the fight on the bridge, though his hands and face had been cleaned of blood and ichor and a new healing rune gleamed against his throat.

Someone had laid the golden blade of Cortana across Lucie’s vanity table. She supposed there had been no chance to return it to Cordelia after her recovery from the river.

“Christopher was using one of his new devices,” James lied. “It’s meant to pick up the traces of dark magic. We didn’t think it would really come to anything. That is why we didn’t summon you.”

Will’s eyebrows flew up. “All six of you showed up to Tower Bridge in gear, despite thinking it wouldn’t come to anything?”

Lucie squeezed her eyes half-shut. Better by far that they think she was asleep. James could definitely handle this on his own: as he never tired of reminding her, he was older.

“We thought it best to be prepared,” said James. “Besides, I know you did much more risky things when you were my age.”

“It’s dreadful the way you keep throwing that in my face,” said Will.

“Well, I think they did very well,” said Tessa. “A Mandikhor demon is not easy to defeat.”

“And we did not defeat it,” James said grimly. “There will continue to be attacks. The Nephilim are still in danger.”

“Darling, the responsibility does not lie on you to fix all this,” said Tessa, her voice gentle. “Just to know the demon is in fact a Mandikhor will help a great deal.”

“Yes, and you should tell Christopher that the Clave wishes to use this new device of his—it seems as if it could be very useful,” said Will.

“Ah,” said James. “Tragically, the device was eaten by the demon.”

Unable to help herself, Lucie giggled.

“You’re awake!” Tessa rushed to the bed and hugged her daughter furiously. “Oh, Lucie!”

Will rose and hugged her as well. For a moment Lucie let herself enjoy being surrounded by the love and attention of her parents, even as she could hear Will scolding her for running out onto the riverbank alone.

“But I did it for Cordelia!” she exclaimed, as her parents drew back, her mother seating herself on the bed beside Lucie, where she could hold her hand. “You would have done it for Jem, Papa, when you were parabatai.”

Will leaned back against a post of the bed. “You aren’t parabatai with Cordelia yet.”

“It isn’t just for boys to risk their lives for each other,” Lucie said fiercely. “I had to call for help—”

“Yes, and thank the Angel one of the passing boatmen saw Cordelia and brought her to shore,” said Tessa. “You did help save her, Lucie.”

Lucie glanced at James. She knew he had not seen the ghosts who had taken Cordelia from the water—even Magnus had been too far away to glimpse them. Nevertheless, he looked thoughtful.

“Cordelia was quite all right once she coughed up the river water,” he said reassuringly. “Matthew, Christopher, and Thomas took her home in a hansom cab.”

“But Cortana is still here,” Lucie said, indicating the shining blade. “Daisy will be miserable without it. It’s more than just a sword to her.” She started to struggle upright. “I must bring it to her immediately.”

“Lucie, no,” said Tessa. “You need to rest—”

“I will bring it to Kensington,” said James. There was a distant look in his eyes. “I wish to check on Cordelia and make sure she is recovering from the river.”

Tessa still looked worried. “Take the carriage, James, please,” she said. “It will be safer.”

Nephilim carriages were reinforced with demon-repelling electrum and runes cleverly woven throughout the wood. James sighed and nodded.

“And take Bridget and her massive spear,” said Will, doing a poor job at hiding a smile. “And perhaps change out of your gear first? It never hurts to look your best for a social call.”

* * *

If only there were a rune for drying clothes, Cordelia thought mournfully. She felt as if she were definitely squelching. She was pressed up against